Pat Dunigan of Abilene, Texas, the final private owner of the Baca Ranch, first opened his land up to Hollywood in 1971 for the Gregory Peck film “Shoot Out.” Six movies were filmed here during the time that the Dunigans owned the Baca. Since the Valles Caldera National Preserve was established in 2000, the film industry has continued to take advantage of the Valles Caldera’s majestic scenery and existing movie sets. Below is a list of movies that have been filmed on the Valles Caldera/Baca Ranch and elsewhere in the Jemez Mountains. Click “About This Movie” for information on each film’s plot and starring cast. Click “Buy This Movie” to purchase the film online.
Movies Filmed in the Valles Caldera, Outside of the National Preserve
Movies Filmed in the Jemez Mountains, Outside of the Valles Caldera
Movies Filmed in the Valles Caldera National Preserve/Baca Ranch:
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“Kites” (2010) – A “Bollywood” film (a term referring to the film industry in India), in both English and Hindi, filmed at the set of “The Missing”
Starring Hrithik Roshan and Nicholas Brown |
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“Seraphim Falls” (2006)
Starring Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan |
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“The Missing” (2003) – Filmed at the set visible from Hwy 4 between the highway and the Valle Grande Staging Area
Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Val Kilmer, and Evan Rachel Wood; Directed by Ron Howard |
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“Last Stand At Saber River” (1997) (TV) – Fimed at the set of “The Missing”
Starring Tom Selleck, Suzy Amis, and Haley Joel Osment |
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“Buffalo Girls” (1995) (TV) – Filmed at the ghost-town set constructed for the movie located in the Valle Jaramillo, next to the Jaramillo Creek and Cerro Piñon, as well as on the Valle Grande
Starring Anjelica Huston (as Calamity Jane), Melanie Griffith, Gabriel Byrne, Jack Palance, Reba McIntyre, Sam Elliott, and Floyd “Red Crow” Westerman |
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“Troublemakers” (aka “The Fight Before Christmas, aka “Botte di Natale”) (1994) – Filmed at a set constructed for the movie that later was used for the movie “The Missing.”
Starring Terence Hill and Bud Spencer |
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“The Gambler” (1980) (TV) – Filmed at the Ranch Headquarters area overlooking the Valle Grande
Starring Kenny Rogers and Christine Belford |
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“Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion” (1977) (TV) – Filmed at San Antonio Cabin, on the Valle Grande, and at a set constructed (and demolished) for the movie at Cerro Piñon
Starring Leif Garrett, Milo O’Shea, and Bibi Besch (with a cameo appearance by local Jemez character Jim Trout) |
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“Shoot Out” (1971) – Filmed at a set built by the filmmakers at the north edge of the History Grove, consisting of two small buildings, one of which is now used as an elk skinning shed
Starring Gregory Peck, Patricia Quinn |
Movies Filmed Within the Valles Caldera but Outside of the National Preserve:
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“Wild Hogs” (2007) – The scene in which the wannabe bikers are soaking in a hot spring was filmed at a massive set constructed at Las Conchas (outside of the National Preserve).
Read about the set constructed for this movie by clicking here. There is also an aerial shot of the motorcycles riding east along Hwy. 4 in the Valle Grande. Starring John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Ray Liotta, and Marisa Tomei |
Movies Filmed in the Jemez Mountains, Outside of the Valles Caldera:
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“3:10 to Yuma” (2007) – Filmed in the Jemez Mountains (at Gilman Tunnels) but not in the Valles Caldera
Starring Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, and Peter Fonda |
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“Santa Fe” (1997)
Starring Tina Majorino, Gary Cole and Lolita Davidovich |
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“The Man Who Fell to Earth” (1976)
Starring David Bowie and Rip Torn. The character played by Bowie, the alien who fell to earth, makes contact with his new world by splashing into Fenton Lake from outer space in a flying saucer. |
